Effect of different spent mushroom substrates on growth and yield of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) under pot conditions

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to assess the effect of Hypsizygus ulmarius (Hu) spent mushroom substrates derived from different agro-residues on the growth, yield, nutrient uptake and soil fertility of green gram (Vigna radiata L.). The treatments comprised recommended dose of fertiliser (RDF) combined with spent paddy straw (HuSPS), pigeon pea husk (HuSPH) and mulberry waste (HuSMW), either alone or in combination with farmyard manure (FYM), along with a control. Among the treatments, RDF + 50 % HuSPH + 50 % FYM (T5) recorded significantly better plant growth with maximum plant height at 30 days after sowing (DAS) (28.33 cm), 60 DAS (39.93 cm) and harvest (40.03 cm), followed by RDF + 50 % HuSMW + 50 % FYM (T7). The number of branches and total dry matter accumulation were also significantly enhanced under integrated treatments, with T5 showing the highest values at all growth stages. Effective root nodulation was maximum in T5 (8.67 nodules plant-1), followed by T7 (8.33 nodules plant-1). Yield attributes such as seeds per pod, test weight and seed yield per plant were significantly superior in T5 (9.67, 4.02 g and 4.48 g, respectively), closely followed by T7 and T3. Soil-available nutrients (nitrogen (N), phosphorus as fertiliser nutrient content (P₂O₅) and potassium as fertiliser nutrient content (K₂O)) and total nutrient uptake (N, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)) were also markedly improved under integrated nutrient management treatments, particularly T5 and T7. The study indicates that the incorporation of H. ulmarius spent mushroom substrate, especially pigeonpea husk-based substrate combined with FYM and RDF, enhances the growth, yield performance, nutrient uptake and soil fertility of green gram under pot conditions.